Johnson praises new City arrivals

Wednesday, February 12th 2020

Lee Johnson praised City’s three new starters as the Robins took all three points against Derby County at Ashton Gate.

Felip Benković and Nahki Wells scored first-half goals in the 3-2 win, while Markus Henriksen was Man-of-the Match.

Their performances capped off an all-round team display that pleased the head coach.

Here’s what he told Robins TV:

New signings

“There were three really good full debuts and I’m delighted with the boys considering Benković and Henriksen hadn’t played as much football as they would have liked this season. I am very pleased that they got through the 90 and performed as well as they did against a good side."

Markus Henriksen impressed on his City debut

Enjoying the moment

“I said to the boys when they came in that we have to enjoy that. Imagine it’s a last-minute winner and we are euphoric because it’s an unbelievable win against a very, very good Derby side who have got a lot of good ball handlers.

“It’s all to play for. I know results have been indifferent above us over the last couple of days but we have won our game and done our bit."

Nahki Wells

“I thought Nahki was excellent – he was neat and tidy and he and Fam worked well together. That’s where you want him, a goal-scorer, a poacher in the six-yard box feeding off the bits. It was probably the only chance he truly had and he was unlucky a couple of times.”

Filip Benković celebrates scoring on his first Robins start

Three goals up

“The effort it takes to go three-nil up against a side like Derby is monumental so credit to the boys for that. We had a couple of players hanging in which is why we tried to shore it up. It did probably appear nervous because we couldn’t get as much pressure on the ball but we had bodies where it mattered.

“I know Derby have got quality and we wanted to make it four or five but we didn’t really take our chances particularly in the echoes of injury time.”

Famara Diédhiou scored City's third goal

Super fans

“There were a couple of grumbles in and around me, I think at my decisions! But we got the win and the core group of fans stuck with the boys in those moments and were absolutely brilliant and that’s exactly what we need.”

City return to league action on Saturday when they travel to Leeds United's Elland Road. Over 1,000 tickets have been sold for this fixture, which remains on general sale.

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